Mercury 15hp vrs 20hp outboard

b_arrington said:
The RIB does ride quite differently with the new Mercury vs. the old Evinrude. The boat is quieter and actually does get on plane faster. But I do have to shift my weight forward a bit to prevent porpoising. Also the ride is a bit squirrely at the top end.

Frankly, the motor is a bit weird. Where the Evinrude had a very rigid connection, the Mercury seems to have some sort of elastomer in the area between the mount and where it attaches to the actual motor. Maybe this is designed to make the ride softer? The practical effect is that it makes the motor oscillate at higher speeds and wiggles the bow of the boat.
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Have you looked at the Maxi Marine tabs?


Similar to smart tabs but more running surface. Really stops the porpoising and helps stability with a heavier higher power outboard motor.

https://www.maximarine.com/products/lifters/index.html
 
I have a west marine 310 rib with a 2016 Elec start mercury 15hp. My Sundancer is 1997 400. Believe me when I say the inflatable you are looking at will take up most of your swim platform. Remember it will be sitting on ur platform with the outboard tilted. If you don’t want to catch the lower unit on every piling Backing into the marina you will have to slide it over. My boat will plane nicely with 4 adults once up. To get it up you all need to move forward. If I could do it over I would buy an 8’6 rib and throw a 15hp 2 stroke on it. It would save me 50 lbs. mine is a bear to get out of the water.
 
blaster said:
Have you looked at the Maxi Marine tabs?


Similar to smart tabs but more running surface. Really stops the porpoising and helps stability with a heavier higher power outboard motor.

https://www.maximarine.com/products/lifters/index.html
Click to expand...
I have thought about those in the past, but they seemed so big and I didn't really need them. I had been thinking about a smaller smart tab because they are a little smaller. That might be a winter / spring project.
 
Yeah, they are a bit chunky. The trade off is how much they help and do you need them.
 
Riptide III said:
I have a west marine 310 rib with a 2016 Elec start mercury 15hp. My Sundancer is 1997 400. Believe me when I say the inflatable you are looking at will take up most of your swim platform. Remember it will be sitting on ur platform with the outboard tilted. If you don’t want to catch the lower unit on every piling Backing into the marina you will have to slide it over. My boat will plane nicely with 4 adults once up. To get it up you all need to move forward. If I could do it over I would buy an 8’6 rib and throw a 15hp 2 stroke on it. It would save me 50 lbs. mine is a bear to get out of the water.
Click to expand...
If you’re talking to me... I have a 14’ beam. There is more than enough width with the dinghy and motor tilted. My current motor is 80lbs... I can get the dinghy up myself without Davits. The new motor is 20lbs more.... so will be interesting to see the difference.
You are right there is no room on the platform left....and I have to jump over the transom to get on the starboard part of the swim platform.... but it’s not that often we take it so we live with the inconvenience
 
I just picked up an AB 10 VL Rib....nice dinghy. It weighs 170 lbs and it is a bear to get up on my hurley (traditional davit system). This boat is rated for a 25hp max motor so I will look for a older stroke so it doesn't break my back. Maybe I can rig up a two part block to pull it up. Any suggestions on 25hp 2 strokes? Must be pre 2004. I have a 9.8 4 stroke and a 9.8 2 stroke and the weight difference must be around 15 lbs. If I can find a 25hp 2 stroke under 100 #, I think that will work.
 
I have a 2007 Yami 25hp 2 storke and it weighs 106lbs dry i think. That AB10 VL is a very nice boat but has the double hull is why it's so heavy. Mine has the single hull so its much lighter. I also have the st croix eurohelm so my total est weight is about 280lbs i think. Those 2 stroke are hard to find. I was looking for a replacement after mine lost a rod bearing and scored cylinder walls. I think i screwed up the oil mix. :oops: I considered a four stroke and realized that i would have a stroke trying to retrieve the boat due to weight...........so im having the 2 stroke rebuilt. New crank assy and oversize pistons and rings. Should be done Monday:)
 
kevin27 said:
I have a 2007 Yami 25hp 2 storke and it weighs 106lbs dry i think. That AB10 VL is a very nice boat but has the double hull is why it's so heavy. Mine has the single hull so its much lighter. I also have the st croix eurohelm so my total est weight is about 280lbs i think. Those 2 stroke are hard to find. I was looking for a replacement after mine lost a rod bearing and scored cylinder walls. I think i screwed up the oil mix. :oops: I considered a four stroke and realized that i would have a stroke trying to retrieve the boat due to weight...........so im having the 2 stroke rebuilt. New crank assy and oversize pistons and rings. Should be done Monday:)
Click to expand...

Great info....so you have a 25hp on at 9.5' AB? How fast does it go with that power? Must be fun. IMO, right decision to rebuild you 2S.
 
Since I have the euro helm seat I think it needed the 25hp. 15hp was just ok and needed full throttle a good bit . 25hp rocks! I see 33mph just me. I was messing with props right after I got it and went up one. Lets just say 35.4mph is too fast for that boat.:D
 
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